Up early, packed everything, and over to Subway for breakfast. They have a nice breakfast menu. I asked around and was told I could take the frontage road to Hwy 70, so no more need for the interstate....that is a treat. The whole time I was on it, someone was reporting me to some agency. If walking, I was "in the road." If resting, "I needed help." Neither of which was true, but drivers don't want walkers on their interstates. I guess before cell phones, none of this mattered.
For some reason, I had the idea I could just jump from the frontage road to Hwy 70, and all of a sudden be north of Las Cruces, and making good time toward Alamogordo. I could see the city from the truck stop, so must be there.....right? Not so out here, where it is soooo flat you can't imagine. I still had a long walk through Las Cruces to get to the other side, wouldn't be clear of the area until around 2pm. That was a disappointment, not sure why, but just wasn't the expectation.
While walking through Las Cruces, crossed over a river. Didn't pay much attention to it, but when on the other side, saw a marker for the Rio Grande. I thought that was only along the border of Texas and old Mexico, but found out it runs throughout most of New Mexico......did you know that? Not a lot of water in it, but it had some. Some locals told me it is occasionally low due to drawing water off to fill reservoirs, etc. Stopped by a Walgreens' for some mole skin (a life saver and my feet love me for it). While there asked the clerk about a grocery store to buy supplies. Next light, over 1 block. I asked if that was a normal block or a New Mexico block which can go on forever. It was a normal block, than goodness.
Walked to the store, bought supplies, and went outside to rest for a while. There met John from Chicago. John had moved to the area recently, following his (ex) girlfriend. She had moved here for school, John saved his money and followed her here, she decided to pursue other options. But John liked the area and decided to stay, away from the fast life and big city. Like so many others, he was looking for work, but seemed open to lots of different jobs. I invited him to come along for a walk, but John figured he needed to find work. A nice young man, I think he'll be ok.
Kept walking and eventually I was clearing the city, heading east on Hwy 70 (looks north on the map, but they call it east out here.) This is the start of the climb to San Augustine Pass, a 5,700' route over the mountains into White Sands. It starts slowly, but gets steeper nearer the top. Along the way, south of the highway, is the Organ Mountains. If you saw it, you'd know why the name. The top of the mountain looks exactly like the pipes in a pipe organ. After struggling up the climb, I came to a place named Organ.......still not to the steepest part of the climb. Decided I'd had it for the day, so began to look around for food and a place to camp.
In this tiny place, where there is almost nothing else, there is a Thai restaurant. I've never had Thai food, so decided to give it a try. Being one to try new things, I ordered a rib eye steak, baked potato, salad, and soda! Excellent food, cooked to perfection, and nice atmosphere. I like Thai, but didn't notice lots of difference from American food. I later learned that this very building was once a saloon, and entertained the likes of Billy The Kid and Pat Garrett. Everywhere you go has history, just depends how far back we have to look.
After eating I went looking for a place to camp. nearby there was a place named, "Patti Ann Trailer Park", so I went to the office to inquire about a spot for the night. Met the owner, Weston Lee, and he said I could put the tent up there. Before the stakes were in the ground, Weston came out and said he had an empty trailer and I could stay there if i wanted. It was warm, had water, bathroom, etc., so I was happy to get that. There was no furniture as the trailer was being refurbished, but I was happy to put the sleeping bag on the floor. It was getting cold outside and the warmth of the trailer was really a treat.
So, after a somewhat frustrating, long day, a nice ending with a warm place to stay and a good Thai meal.......does it get any better?
For some reason, I had the idea I could just jump from the frontage road to Hwy 70, and all of a sudden be north of Las Cruces, and making good time toward Alamogordo. I could see the city from the truck stop, so must be there.....right? Not so out here, where it is soooo flat you can't imagine. I still had a long walk through Las Cruces to get to the other side, wouldn't be clear of the area until around 2pm. That was a disappointment, not sure why, but just wasn't the expectation.
While walking through Las Cruces, crossed over a river. Didn't pay much attention to it, but when on the other side, saw a marker for the Rio Grande. I thought that was only along the border of Texas and old Mexico, but found out it runs throughout most of New Mexico......did you know that? Not a lot of water in it, but it had some. Some locals told me it is occasionally low due to drawing water off to fill reservoirs, etc. Stopped by a Walgreens' for some mole skin (a life saver and my feet love me for it). While there asked the clerk about a grocery store to buy supplies. Next light, over 1 block. I asked if that was a normal block or a New Mexico block which can go on forever. It was a normal block, than goodness.
Walked to the store, bought supplies, and went outside to rest for a while. There met John from Chicago. John had moved to the area recently, following his (ex) girlfriend. She had moved here for school, John saved his money and followed her here, she decided to pursue other options. But John liked the area and decided to stay, away from the fast life and big city. Like so many others, he was looking for work, but seemed open to lots of different jobs. I invited him to come along for a walk, but John figured he needed to find work. A nice young man, I think he'll be ok.
Kept walking and eventually I was clearing the city, heading east on Hwy 70 (looks north on the map, but they call it east out here.) This is the start of the climb to San Augustine Pass, a 5,700' route over the mountains into White Sands. It starts slowly, but gets steeper nearer the top. Along the way, south of the highway, is the Organ Mountains. If you saw it, you'd know why the name. The top of the mountain looks exactly like the pipes in a pipe organ. After struggling up the climb, I came to a place named Organ.......still not to the steepest part of the climb. Decided I'd had it for the day, so began to look around for food and a place to camp.
In this tiny place, where there is almost nothing else, there is a Thai restaurant. I've never had Thai food, so decided to give it a try. Being one to try new things, I ordered a rib eye steak, baked potato, salad, and soda! Excellent food, cooked to perfection, and nice atmosphere. I like Thai, but didn't notice lots of difference from American food. I later learned that this very building was once a saloon, and entertained the likes of Billy The Kid and Pat Garrett. Everywhere you go has history, just depends how far back we have to look.
After eating I went looking for a place to camp. nearby there was a place named, "Patti Ann Trailer Park", so I went to the office to inquire about a spot for the night. Met the owner, Weston Lee, and he said I could put the tent up there. Before the stakes were in the ground, Weston came out and said he had an empty trailer and I could stay there if i wanted. It was warm, had water, bathroom, etc., so I was happy to get that. There was no furniture as the trailer was being refurbished, but I was happy to put the sleeping bag on the floor. It was getting cold outside and the warmth of the trailer was really a treat.
So, after a somewhat frustrating, long day, a nice ending with a warm place to stay and a good Thai meal.......does it get any better?
Papaw that certainly isn't Thai food! Come over to England we have plenty of real Thai restaurant around. Sounds like your walk is going well and hope your doing great!
ReplyDelete-Kevin